Robert Pires to join Aston Villa

16/11/2010

Robert Pires is set to join Aston Villa later this week. The former Arsenal and France midfielder is currently a free agent after being released by Villarreal during the summer.

‘Robert has been training at Arsenal. I know the boss and Arsène Wenger are very friendly and I believe he's going to join us in the next two or three days,’ Villa assistant manager Gary McAllister told reporters. ‘It's perfect. I am sure he will arrive at the training ground in good condition.’

McAllister continued: ‘He's a player everyone can look up to because of what he has achieved.’

The 37-year-old left Arsenal in 2006 and spent four seasons in Spain at Villarreal. Judging from Villa’s collapse against Manchester United last Saturday an experienced head in midfield could be exactly what Gerard Houllier’s team need at this point in time.